Jailed for disorderly conduct
Thomas C. Hobbs, 67, Iola, is charged with felony battery to an officer, misdemeanor resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.
Shortly after 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, New London Police Officer Mike Harlow was dispatched to Pallet One for a report of a man walking around the plant and yelling at employees.
When Harlow arrived at the scene, he found Harlow in the parking lot, yelling and slamming his hand on the hood of a truck.
According to the criminal complaint, Harlow told Hobbs to leave, but he refused and said he was the new boss.
Harlow reported that Hobbs continued arguing with him, then stepped toward the officer in an aggressive manner.
Hobbs was arrested, taken to the New London police station, issued a citation and released.
But Hobbs allegedly refused to leave.
Hobbs “swore at the police, got down on his knees to pray and yelled at the officers to do the same,” the complaint says.
Officers escorted Hobbs outside, but he returned and began yelling again.
Unable to push him out the door, officers escorted Hobbs to the ground, handcuffed him and transported him to ThedaCare Medical Center-New London to be evaluated by a doctor.
At the emergency room, Hobbs allegedly made sexual comments to the nurses, swore and yelled at staff, and pointed his buttocks at people and farted loudly.
Harlow, who re-injured a recently broken hand during the struggle, reported that “Hobbs did not appear to be in sound mental status” and may be living out of a car.
At 10:45 p.m. that evening, New London Police Officer Brent Seavecki was dispatched to Festival Foods for a report of a man stealing soda and causing a disturbance.
Seavecki found Hobbs arguing with a clerk about whether he paid for the soda he was drinking.
Other officers arrived at the scene and asked Hobbs to place his hands behind his back.
Hobbs began drawing back from the officers, so they grabbed him, the complaint says.
Police report Hobbs began struggling and fighting with them. After they escorted him to the floor, Hobbs began thrashing wildly and kicking.
Officers tazed Hobbs twice while trying to handcuff him.
He is currently in custody on a $2,000 cash bond.
Judge Raymond Huber has ordered that the Department of Health Services examine Hobbs to determine his mental competency by the end of the month.